Launch of new vocations initiative in Birmingham

-call for more priests in the Church of England -Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes new resources

A new initiative aimed at encouraging vocations to ministry in the Church of England is to be launched later this month (Birmingham, Thursday 26 June).

Here I Am has the backing of the catholic societies of the Church of England with the full support of the Additional Curates Society (www.additionalcurates.co.uk). It has also been welcomed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Those responsible have embraced digital media to encourage vocations to priesthood alongside other kinds of ministry in the Church of England and the Church in Wales.

A new You Tube channel features specially commissioned films looking at how people are called to ministry, what the selection process involves and profiles some of those called to follow a path to priesthood.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has backed the initiative: “I am delighted to see the Catholic Societies working together in order to promote and encourage more vocations to the sacred priesthood under this new and exciting banner of Here I Am”.

Fr Darren Smith, spokesman for Here I Am, said today:" People looking at the material we have carefully produced will quickly discover that there is no single mould, shape or pattern for the priestly vocation.”

He adds: "Browsers to our website will find details of courses, what happens if they want to take it to the next step and what the work of a priest in the Church of England today involves.

Bishops and priests representing the catholic societies are already working in every part of England and Wales and it was felt that material that had served them well previously was ready for an upgrade to reflect where the digital audience can now be found.

"We are excited and expectant about the future of ministry and mission in anglican catholic churches and communities," Fr.Smith explained.